Throughout our lives, there will be moments when we need to step back and evaluate — whether it's our performance on the job, our personal relationships or our spending habits — to determine if we can make improvements. Ideally, employees should take the same approach in the months leading up to the benefits open enrollment season. That said, now is the perfect time for benefit advisers to sit down with clients to evaluate their employees' benefits usage and confirm whether or not their clients' and employees' needs are met. 

Ensure the basics are covered

While having conversations with clients about how many workers have taken advantage of the benefits being offered and which benefits have been utilized the most, it may be helpful to go over the basics of the policies as a refresher. A 2016 Aflac study found that more than half (53 percent) of employees understand some, little or none of their coverage.[1] Knowing that workers sometimes make benefits decisions without fully understanding the implications, this is an opportunity for benefits advisers to provide clients with the best information to educate employees. By helping clients and, in turn, employees, understand the who, what, when and why of coverage, an adviser can positively impact benefits selection and usage.